Large, explosive volcanic eruptions usually have an impact on the global climate. Under the influence of small aerosols of sulfur dioxide that are formed in the atmosphere, the temperature on Earth drops because the sunlight is reflected back into space. But warming may also occur, as evidenced by the massive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano, near the Tonga archipelago, on Jan. 15.
When the submarine volcano in the Pacific Ocean erupted, which according to the US space agency NASA was 100 times stronger than the explosive power of the atomic bomb that fell on Hiroshima, huge amounts of seawater poured into a magma chamber and collapsed. It hit the magma, which was several thousand degrees hot, and suddenly evaporated.
The resulting explosion, which could still be heard in Alaska about 9,700 kilometers away, triggered a tsunami that devastated surrounding islands in the archipelago. The eruptions sent shockwaves around the world and even to the edge of space. The explosion reached a speed of 1159 kilometers per hour and orbited the Earth at least four times in one direction and three times in the other direction.
Steam cloud rose to 53 kilometers height
The cloud of ash and steam rose to a height of about 53 kilometers. However, according to the latest calculations, only about 450,000 tons of sulfur dioxide have been released into the atmosphere. By comparison, when Pinatubo erupted in 1991, it was 20 million tons. According to the current state of knowledge, a minimum of five million tons is needed for cooling.
However, the rising steam cloud contained a lot of water vapor, which mainly accumulated in the stratosphere above the southern hemisphere and led to a slight increase in temperature, reports the storm center.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
